REEF TO REEF

22 DAYS/21 NIGHTS

DEPARTING WEDNESDAY

Interacting with dolphins, exploring pristine islands, sleeping under the stars on the Great Barrier Reef, swimming with whale sharks, and travelling across the country by a train connecting two oceans – it’s the ultimate Australian coastal adventure.

It’s fair to say you’ll never have a night like this again! After your transfer from Airlie Beach by fast ocean-going vessel, enjoy the day frolicking in Australia’s world famous Great Barrier Reef. From our Heart Pontoon moored on Hardy
Reef, you can swim among tropical fish, snorkel through beautiful coral, dive, or take a guided semisubmersible tour. For the ultimate reef adventure, take a heli-flight over Heart Reef (optional extra) to fully appreciate the scale and majesty of
this globally-renowned living treasure. Then, wave goodbye to the day guests as the vessel heads back to the mainland. That’s right - you’ll be spending the night sleeping under the stars on Hardy Reef, where the only sound you'll hear
is the Coral Sea gently lapping around you. Your uniquely Australian accommodation comes in the form of a swag.

OVERNIGHT: Reefsleep (L,D)

DAY THREE – GREAT BARRIER REEF, REEFSLEEP

Enjoy all of the pontoon facilities before the day visitors arrive, and then spend another full day enjoying this incredible location. See the myriad tropical fish, corals and reef sharks. If you’re not keen to swim, view the striking colours from
the underwater viewing chamber or the semisubmersible vessel. You’ll head home with the day guests onboard the reef vessel in the afternoon.

TToday is yours to enjoy the lovely coastal town of Airlie Beach. Stroll to one of the alfresco restaurants for fresh local seafood or handmade tapas.

DAY FIVE – CAMIRA SAILING ADVENTURE

A full day sailing around the Whitsundays elevates your experience of this stunning aquatic playground to a new level. Join the experienced crew aboard a super sleek catamaran and sit back as you sail from one amazing location to the next – all
you have to do is relax on Camira’s deck and decide what to photograph next. As Camira takes in all the showstoppers of the Whitsundays – including the jaw-dropping Whitehaven Beach – you'll also enjoy interactive shore experiences
like a guided small group walk to stunning Hill Inlet. Here you will discover the history of the region’s traditional owners, the Ngaro people. With snorkelling gear also included and plenty of idyllic swimming spots to choose from, expect to
work up an appetite for the beach barbecue lunch. (L)

DAY SIX – AIRLIE BEACH TO SYDNEY

Check out of your accommodation this morning for your flight to Sydney. On arrival in Sydney, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Amble through the city’s laneways or enjoy the views along Darling Harbour. OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Adina Apartment
Hotel Sydney Central

DAY SEVEN – SYDNEY HARBOUR, BRIDGECLIMB

Climbing an Australian icon, the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb, is sure to be a highlight. The anticipation builds as you enter the preclimb area and suit up for the safety briefing and before long, you’re safely clipped to the rail to begin the ascent
towards the best view in Sydney. You’ll gain access to the very summit of the bridge for a moment you’ll never forget

DAY EIGHT – BOARD THE INDIAN PACIFIC IN SYDNEY

Departing Sydney’s Central Station, settle into your first evening on the Indian Pacific. Enjoy the fabulous food, wine, service and social atmosphere of this much-loved rail journey.

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Indian Pacific (D)

DAY NINE – INDIAN PACIFIC, BROKEN HILL AND ADELAIDE

After breakfast, prepare for your first Off Train Excursion in frontier town Broken Hill, followed by a day enjoying the outback scenery. Upon arrival in Adelaide, you’ll have more Off Train Excursions to choose from before continuing your journey
west. (B,L,D)

DAY TEN – INDIAN PACIFIC, NULLARBOR PLAIN

Today is all about those amazing views as you cross this famous stretch of the Australian interior. Dinner this evening is under an outback sky on the edge of the country’s largest sheep station at Rawlinna (seasonal). (B,L,D)

DAY ELEVEN – INDIAN PACIFIC, PERTH

This morning, you will travel through the rolling hills of the Avon Valley. Then enjoy a delightful lunch as you head to your destination of Perth, arriving midafternoon. Check in to your accommodation.

Enjoy your ferry trip from Perth to Rottnest Island with Rottnest Express. There is so much to see and do on Rottnest Island and your best option is to take a guided tour that lets you make the most of a fabulous day out. You’ll be able to explore
the island’s most spectacular locations, see its unique wildlife – including those adorable quokkas – and discover its colourful history.

DAY THIRTEEN – PERTH TO EXMOUTH

After your flight from Perth to Exmouth, pick up your hire car and make your way to your accommodation.

Prepare for a life-changing experience. You have the chance to swim with whale sharks or humpback whales (seasonal) on the world famous Ningaloo Reef! This incredible opportunity is restricted to small groups, and you will be escorted the whole way travelling
aboard a luxury vessel guided by a spotter plane from above. Snorkels and wetsuits are provided. Lunch is also included, as well as a glass of bubbly to celebrate an encounter with nature you’ll never forget. (L)

*During November to March, you will enjoy a half day Marine Life Discovery and Lagoon Snorkelling Tour

DAY FIFTEEN – LEISURE DAY

Your day begins in the small reef town of Exmouth. You’ve done the reef so why not head to Cape Range National Park with its spectacular gorges in your hire car? Hike through walking trails and gorges offering some of the best views in the west,
or relax on pristine sandy beaches with crystal clear turquoise water. Visit the top of the Range to see the sun sink over the beautiful beaches of the North West Cape.

DAY SIXTEEN – SELF-DRIVE TO CARNARVON

Carnarvon is perfectly positioned between the Ningaloo World Heritage areas to the north, and Shark Bay to the south. It is a year round holiday destination offering the chance to rest, relax and recharge. Drive to Carnarvon via Gascoyne’s picturesque
coastline, or the rugged inland locations such as Kennedy Range and Mount Augustus National Park.

Shark Bay encompasses two bays sheltered by peninsulas and a long island. The local Malgana Aboriginal people know it as Gutharraguda, meaning two waters. Within Shark Bay lies Monkey Mia, famous for its dolphin experience. Monkey Mia is surrounded by
rusty red sand dunes, white sandy beaches and water teeming with wildlife. You can drive there via Hamelin Pool, a protected marine nature reserve where stromatolites, known as ‘living fossils’, are the number one attraction.

Covering an area of more than 2.2 million hectares, Shark Bay is one of the world’s greatest wilderness treasures. It has a unique combination of wildlife, flora and stunning scenery unlike anywhere else. Apart from dolphins, you might spot dugongs,
sharks, rays, turtles, and a variety of fish in the water. Back on land, you are likely to meet pelicans and emus. Pack the hire car with your towels and a picnic lunch to head out for the day.

DAY NINETEEN – SELF-DRIVE TO CORAL BAY

Time to start the self-drive back up north towards Exmouth. Coral Bay is a small settlement that lies protected from the Indian Ocean by the Ningaloo Reef. It is Australia’s only fringing reef, where the coral starts right at the water’s edge.
The fish and the coral are very accessible and can be experienced either snorkelling or on one of the coral viewing boats.

This marine eco-tour is a full day of fascinating interactions with the ocean and they don’t come much bigger or better than swimming with amazing gentle giants in Coral Bay. Ningaloo Reef’s resident manta rays are a sight to behold, and you
can get up close and personal with these graceful creatures. Your adventure includes wetsuits and snorkelling gear plus morning tea, lunch, and afternoon snacks. (L)

DAY TWENTY ONE – SELF-DRIVE TO EXMOUTH

Take in any last-minute sights at Coral Bay today before making the drive to Exmouth. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool as you reflect on the last couple of weeks’ adventure.